RE: The future of Histotechs

From:

"Horn, Hazel V"

Robert you are right. Additionally, I think "we" ourselves have added to
this problem by always commenting or complaining about it. Thus adding to
perception that it is correct. I am fortunate to work at a place that
values our histology lab and what we do.
We are also paid on the same level at the med techs. So for us, the
second rate lab doesn't apply.
Hazel
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Brunner [SMTP:rbrunner@argosyu.edu]
> Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 11:04 AM
> To: Dawson, Glen; Morken, Tim; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: RE: The future of Histotechs
>
> I am sorry to hear of the impression that is there of the profession. I
> do agree that there is a lack of recognition of our profession and that
> salaries are not competitive with other allied health fields.
>
> One comment I have is, This is our profession, we can do things to make
> it better. How many of the histotechs nationwide belong to professional
> societies? How many get involved with improving the status of the field?
> WE need to look at this is a challenge to ALL histotechs out there to
> unite, get involved and voice to the powers that be.
>
> So, Lets look at where we want the profession to go and start to motivate
> the masses to work towards that goal.
>
> Again, Just a thought
>
> Robert Brunner, BA, HT(ASCP)
> Program Director
> Argosy University
> Minneapolis, MN
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dawson, Glen [mailto:GDawson@Milw.Dynacare.com]
> Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 10:30 AM
> To: Morken, Tim; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: RE: The future of Histotechs
>
>
> I hope you are right Tim. There is a huge resource that histology could
> tap
> into; college graduates with a bachelor's degree in Biology since many
> finish school and cannot find a job that they are qualified for. The
> problem is that it is difficult approaching these graduates with a
> histotech's salary without apologizing for the low figure. These folks
> would be great additions to the histology lab but, as of now, the rewards
> of
> histology aren't good enough to entice them in.
> I fear that the field is so low on the perceived "importance totem pole"
> that the crisis will be MAJOR before lab management truly addresses the
> problem. I have an interesting take on the histology situation from one
> mavery@pcllab.com, a lab manager who's views on the field were so low, I
> can't post them to this listserver for fear he may never receive a
> Christmas
> card from any of us again. Until the perception of histology as a second
> rate lab service is shaken, I fear that changes will be too slow to avert
> a
> crisis.
>
> Glen Dawson.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Morken, Tim [mailto:tim9@cdc.gov]
> Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 9:50 AM
> To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: RE: The future of Histotechs
>
>
> Although I'm sure a lot of histotechs will retire in the next 10-15 years,
> I
> don't believe it will be in the 50 - 70 percent range. One reason is that
> as
> the shortage becomes worse, the pay goes up and labs will accomadate older
> techs with incentives to keep them working longer - even as part timers.
> I've already seen ads for partimers with full benefits. And per diem work
> may beome common place. So, more realistically it may be more in the 30
> percent range, which is still bad!
>
> One bit of practical experience with this, from another field. My mother
> is
> a retired teacher who has been working about 75 percent of the time since
> she retired. The benefit to her is she gets to pick her assignment, is
> given
> full benefits and doesn't worry about all the extra stuff teachers have to
> do these days. i thing something similar will happen with histotechs.
>
> Tim Morken
> Atlanta
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: kevin williams [mailto:akwilliams75@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 9:48 AM
> To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: The future of Histotechs
>
>
>
> At a one of the meetings at the ASCP in California there was an
> interesting
> observation. I understand that in the next 5- 10 years between 50-70% of
> histologists are going to retire.
> Can anyone tell me if there is definative research and where to get my
> hands
>
> on it.
> Thanks in advance
> A. Kevin Williams
>
>
>
>
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